Apparatus for forming elongate plastic film into a tube around variable size articles

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for forming elongate plastic film into a tube around variable size articles includes a conveyor and a forming collar positioned over the conveyor. The forming collar includes left and right sections pivotally supported on a common carrier and moveable relative to the conveyor. The carrier is also moveable relative to the conveyor. The plastic film tube is formed by directing the central film area onto the conveyor, the left film side onto the inside surface of the left collar section and the right film side onto the inside surface of the right collar section. Movement of the forming collar left and right sections about their pivotal supports and/or movement of the carrier cause the forming collar sections to move between retracted and expanded positions for thereby forming a variable size plastic tube corresponding to the article size being received therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of packaging machines and,more particularly, to packaging machines that utilize a plastic filmdirected from a plastic film roll to envelop and package a variablesized article. More particularly, the present invention relates toapparatus and methods for forming the plastic film into a variable sizetube for wrapping or enveloping corresponding variable size largearticles such as bales of cotton, trash, cloth, etc.

2. Background

It is desirable to package and/or envelop bulk materials such asinsulation, trash, cloth, scraps, recyclables, etc. that have beenpre-bundled into a bale with a plastic film. However, such bales aretypically fairly large and, as a consequence, require large sheets/websof plastic film capable of surrounding the bales. Additionally, suchbales vary in size (length, width and height) and hence are difficult toconsistently and snugly envelop in plastic film.

Numerous form, fill and seal apparatus have been developed and are inuse whereby plastic film is formed into a tube and articles are insertedand enveloped therein. However, such prior apparatus are incapable orefficiently, quickly and relatively inexpensively forming a variablesize plastic film tube corresponding to and adapted to snugly envelopvariable size articles such as bales of insulation, trash, cloth,scraps, recyclables, etc.

Accordingly, a need exists for an apparatus capable of forming avariable size plastic film tube corresponding to and adapted to snuglyenvelop variable size articles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one form thereof the present invention is directed to an apparatusfor forming elongate film into a tube around variable size articles. Theapparatus includes a conveying surface adapted to carry the articlesbeing wrapped. A forming collar is provided and is adapted to wrap filmaround the articles carried on the conveying surface. The forming collarincludes left and right sections. The left section is located adjacent aleft side of the conveying surface and the right section is locatedadjacent a right side of the conveying surface. The left and rightforming collar sections each include an inside surface, an outsidesurface and a leading edge. Elongate film having a central area and leftand right sides is formed into a tube by directing: the central filmarea onto the conveying surface; the left film side along the formingcollar left section outside surface, around its leading edge and alongits inside surface; and, the right film side along the forming collarright section outside surface, around its leading edge and along itsinside surface. The left and right forming collar sections areselectively movable relative to the carrying surface thereby selectivelyvarying the tube size. Accordingly, variable sized articles placed onthe film central area and carried by the conveying surface in alongitudinal direction between the forming collar sections may bereceived in the formed film tube.

Preferably, the left and right forming collar sections are eachindependently pivotally supported on a frame and are effectivelymoveable perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Alternatively, theleft and right forming collar sections are each independently pivotallysupported on a frame and are effectively moveable horizontallyperpendicular to the longitudinal direction and vertically perpendicularto the longitudinal direction.

More preferably, the apparatus includes a guide plate having a leftangular edge and a right angular edge and the elongate film central areais directed over the left and right angular edges prior to beingdirected onto the conveying surface. The forming collar left section ismovable in a direction parallel to the left angular edge and the formingcollar right section is movable in a direction parallel to the rightangular edge. The forming collar left section is preferably pivotallysupported on a frame and is thereby movable in a direction parallel tothe left angular edge, and the forming collar right section ispreferably pivotally supported on the frame and is thereby movable in adirection parallel to the right angular edge.

Yet more preferably, the apparatus includes a conveyor defining thecarrying surface and adapted to carry the articles being wrapped.Additionally, the left and right forming collar sections each include alead-in guide. Each lead-in guide is adapted to come in contact with thearticles as they travel in the longitudinal direction and thereby causethe movement of its forming collar section.

Most preferably, the forming collar left section is movable in adirection parallel to both the left angular edge and the leading edge ofthe left forming collar section, and the forming collar right section ismovable in a direction parallel to both the right angular edge and theleading edge of the right forming collar section. The left and rightforming collar sections are supported on a carrier and the carrier isalso movable in a direction parallel to the leading edges of the formingcollar sections.

In another form thereof, the invention is directed to an apparatus forforming elongate film into a tube around variable sized articles. Theapparatus includes a conveying surface adapted to carry the articlesbeing wrapped. A forming collar is provided and is adapted to wrap filmaround the articles carried on the conveying surface. The forming collarincludes left and right sections. The left section is located adjacent aleft side of the conveying surface and the right section is locatedadjacent a right side of the conveying surface. The left and rightforming collar sections each include an inside surface, an outsidesurface and a leading edge. Elongate film having a central area and leftand right sides is formed into a tube by directing: the central filmarea onto the conveying surface; the left film side along the formingcollar left section outside surface, around its leading edge and alongits inside surface; and, the right film side along the forming collarright section outside surface, around its leading edge and along itsinside surface. The left and right forming collar sections are supportedon a carrier and the carrier is movable relative to the carrying surfacethereby selectively varying the tube size. Accordingly, variable sizedarticles placed on the film central area and carried by the conveyingsurface in a longitudinal direction between the forming collar sectionsmay be received in the formed film tube.

Preferably, the carrier is movable in a direction parallel to theleading edges of said forming collar sections. Additionally, theapparatus includes a guide plate having a left angular edge and a rightangular edge. The elongate film central area is directed over said leftand right angular edges prior to being directed onto the conveyingsurface, and the forming collar left section is movable in a directionparallel to the left angular edge and the forming collar right sectionis movable in a direction parallel to the right angular edge.

Yet more preferably, the left and right forming collar sections eachinclude a lead-in guide. The lead-in guides are adapted to come incontact with the articles as they travel in the longitudinal directionand thereby cause the movement of its forming collar section. A conveyordefines the carrying surface and is adapted to carry the articles beingwrapped.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above mentioned and other features of this invention, and the mannerof attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itselfwill be better understood by reference to the following description ofthe embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a plastic film bale wrapping machineincorporating an apparatus for unfolding folded plastic film and form itinto a tube in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the machine shown in FIG. 1:

FIG. 4 is a front, left side and top perspective diagrammatic view ofthe film unfolding section and the tube forming section incorporated inthe machine of FIG. 1 and constructed in accordance with the principlesof the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a rear, right side and top perspective view of the filmunfolding section and the tube forming section shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a front, left side and bottom perspective view of the filmunfolding section and the tube forming section shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a front, right side and top perspective view of the filmunfolding section and the tube forming section incorporated in themachine of FIG. 1 (with the wrapper section cantilevered conveyorremoved for illustration purposes) and constructed in accordance withthe principles of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the film unfolding section and thetube forming section shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a front, right side and top perspective view of the filmunfolding section and the inner form tube section shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is left side elevation view of the film unfolding section andthe inner form tube section shown in FIG. 9 and diagrammaticallydepicting the cantilevered wrapper section conveyor and film guideplates;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the film unfolding section and the innerform tube section shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the film wrapper/tube forming sectionand film unwind section constructed in accordance with the principles ofthe present invention;

FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view of the forming collar carriageshown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is diagrammatic top plan view of the forming collar and guideplate forward triangular end with the forming collar carriage removed,and depicting the left shoulder section pivoted about its pivotassemblies and in an expanded position;

FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic side elevation view of the forming collar andshowing the left shoulder section in its retracted position;

FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic side elevation view similar to FIG. 15 butshowing the left shoulder section in its expanded position movedupwardly and backwardly; and,

FIG. 17 is a diagrammatic front elevation view of the forming collarshown in FIG. 14 depicting the left shoulder section pivoted about itspivot assemblies and in an expanded position.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout several views. Although the exemplification set out hereinillustrates embodiments of the invention, in several forms, theembodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or to beconstrued as limiting the scope of the invention to the precise formsdisclosed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 through 3, a bale wrappingmachine/apparatus is shown and generally designated by the numeral 10.Bale wrapping apparatus 10 is adapted to wrap articles 12 with plasticfilm which is provided on plastic film roles 14. Articles 12 can be anyproduct, however, in the preferred embodiment are typically bales 16 ofcotton, trash, insulation and other bulk materials which have previouslybeen bound and formed into an elongate rectangular box shape as shown.Bales 16 will generally differ in size (height, width and length) andtherefore, bale wrapping apparatus 10 is adapted to accommodate thedifferent height, width and length thereof. Moreover, bales 16 arefairly large and are, for example, in the neighborhood of 21 incheshigh, by 33 inches wide and 55 inches long, and can weigh in theneighborhood of 500 pounds.

Bale wrapping apparatus 10 includes an infeed section 18, a wrappingsection 20 and an output section 22. Bales 16 are wrapped with plasticfrom role 14 as they travel through the wrapping section 20 in alongitudinal direction depicted by arrow/line 21. Infeed section 18includes a conveyor 24 whereupon bales 16 may be placed for transporttowards and into the wrapping section 20. Conveyor 24 can take the formof an endless belt conveyor or, alternatively, may be a low frictionsurface or low friction rollers whereupon bales 16 may be placed andthen slid towards and into the wrapping section 20. When conveyor 24 isa low friction surface, a ram 26 is provided as shown and selectivelylongitudinally driven with drive assembly 28 towards the wrappingsection 24 thereby pushing the bales 16 towards and into the wrappingsection 20.

After the bales 16 have been wrapped or, more particularly, insertedinto a plastic film tube 47 formed in the wrapping section 20, they aremoved toward the output section 22 whereat they are transported viaconveyor 30. Between wrapper section 20 and output section 22, ahorizontal sealing section 23 is provided whereby, at each longitudinalend of the enveloped bale, the plastic film tube 47 is sealed in a knownand customary manner for thereby fully enclosing or enveloping the bale.The wrapped bales 16 may then be removed from conveyor 30 by forklift orother means and/or can be further transported with other conveyors asneeded or desired.

The wrapping section 20 includes a film unwind section 32, a filmunfolding section 34 and a tube forming section 36. In the embodiment asshown, the film unfolding section 34 is located vertically below thefilm tube forming section 36, however, these sections can be located inother orientations relative to one another.

The film unwind section 32 includes a roll support assembly 38 whereuponthe plastic film rolls 14 may selectively be placed for use in the balewrapping apparatus 10. The plastic film 40 is unwrapped from the plasticfilm rolls 14 and directed toward the unfolding section 34 with aplurality of guide rollers 42. In the preferred embodiment as shown, theplastic film 40 is directed to the film unfolding section 34 generallyhorizontally over and along the supporting surface 44.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-12, the tube forming section 36 includes aplastic film forming tube or collar 46 whereat a plastic film tube 47 isformed for receipt of the bales 16 therein. Forming tube 46 is generallymade up of left and right shoulder sections 48, 50 and the upperconveyor or carrying surface 130 of the endless belt conveyor 129. Leftand right shoulder sections 48, 50 are provided with left and rightlead-in guides 52, 54 respectively. Forming tube 46 defines an inletorifice 56, a central volume 57 and outlet orifice 58.

Left and right lead-in guides 52, 54 are, in part, generally conicallyshaped and flared outwardly away from the inlet orifice 56. Lead-inguides 52, 54 form a “chute” leading into the forming tube centralvolume 57 that aids to guide bales 16 into the central volume 57 of theplastic film forming tube 46. More importantly, the lead-in guides 52,54 come in contact with the bales 16 as the bales travel into the inletorifice 56 and cause the left and/or right shoulder sections 48, 50 toshift and selectively increase the central volume 57 and, hence, thewidth/size of the plastic tube 47. In this manner, the plastic film tube47 is selectively increased or decreased in width/size for accommodatingvariable sized bales.

Left and right shoulder sections 48, 50 are pivotally supported withpivot assemblies 60 from a carrier 62. Pivot assemblies 60 each includean arm 61 pivotally secured at their upper end to the carrier 62 aboutpivot axes 62R, 62L and pivotally secured at their lower end to ashoulder section 48, 50 about pivot axes 48L, 50R. As best seen in FIG.7, the pivot axes of each arm 61 are parallel to one another. The pivotaxes of each shoulder section 48, 50 are also parallel to one another.That is, pivot axes 62R and 50R are parallel to one another and pivotaxes 62L and 48L are parallel to one another. Accordingly, shouldersection 48 is movable in a direction defined by an arc that swings aboutthe pivot axes 62L while being maintained in a generally verticalorientation by pivoting about axes 48L. Similarly, shoulder section 50is movable in a direction defined by an arc that swings about the pivotaxes 62R while being maintained in a generally vertical orientation bypivoting about axes 50R. Additionally, the pivot assemblies 60 allow theleft and right shoulder sections 48, 50 to be independently selectivelymoveable relative to each other. A tension spring mechanism 51 (FIG. 7)is secured between the left and right shoulder sections 48, 50 forbiasing the shoulder sections 48, 50 towards each other and, hence, uponor in sliding engagement with bales 16 as the bales 16 travel throughthe central volume 57 of the forming tube 46.

As shown in FIG. 12, cam assemblies 138 are provided whereby the carrier62 is itself also capable of moving vertically upwardly and backwardlyaway from the conveyor upper surface 130. Cam assemblies 138 include camslots 140 on the supporting horizontal beams 142 of the wrapper sectionframe 144. Cam slots 140 are formed between cam rails 141 affixed to thebeams 142. Cam slots 140 are sized and adapted to slidingly receive camroller wheels 146 which are pivotally secured to the carrier 62 withbolts 143. Accordingly, cam roller wheels 146 along with the carrier 62and the complete forming tube assembly 46 are moveable relative to thewrapper frame 144 in a direction depicted by arrow 148 at an angle αwith respect to the horizontal surface 44 and the longitudinal line 21.Left tension spring mechanism 63L is secured between the frame 144 andthe left shoulder section 48 and right tension spring mechanism 63R issecured between the frame 144 and the right shoulder section 50 (FIGS. 3and 12). Left and right tension spring mechanisms 63L, 63R independentlybias the left and right shoulder sections 48, 50 respectively downwardlyrelative to the frame 144 and, hence, upon or in sliding engagement withbales 16 as the bales 16 travel through the central volume 57 of theforming tube 46.

The independent movement of left and right shoulder sections 48, 50 viathe pivot assemblies 60 in combination with the movement of the carrier62 via the cam assemblies 138, as more fully discussed herein below,allows variable size bales 16 to be received through the forming tube 46and also forms the plastic film tube 47 having a size/circumference asneeded for a snug fit around the bales regardless of the bale size.

Left and right form tube shoulder sections 48, 50 include left and rightinner form tube sections 86, 88 respectively. The inner form tubesections 86, 88 are each supported on a frame formed by an upper beammember 85, side beam member 87 and rear connecting plate member 89. Theupper beam members 85 are pivotally secured to arms 61 at pivot axes50R, 48L. The lead-in guides 52, 54 are secured to the forward end ofbeam members 85, 87, whereas the rear connecting members 89 are securedto the rear end of the beam members 85, 87 and to the inner form tubesections 86, 88. Hence, the left and right inner form tube sections 86,88 are affixed to and supported by the frame members 85, 87 and 89 inthe left and right form tube sections 48, 50 respectively and move asdescribed herein above in connection with the left and right form tubesections 48, 50. As more fully described herein below, the plastic film40 at least partially travels over the inner form tube sections 86, 88so as to form the plastic film tube 47.

Left inner form tube section 86 includes a left lower inturned lipsection 90, a left mid wall section 94 and a left upper crossovertriangular section 102. Similarly, the right inner form tube section 88includes a right lower inturned lip section 92, a right mid wall section96 and a right upper crossover triangular section 104.

Left and right inner form tube sections 86, 88 are essentially mirrorimages of one another and both include a forward nosing 98, 100 and rearedges 99, 101. The rear edges 99, 101 are affixed to the rear connectingplate members 89 as described herein above for thereby supporting theinner form tube sections 89, 88 as shown. The mid wall sections 94, 96include a tapered leading edge 94E, 96E respectively. Asdiagrammatically depicted and shown in FIG. 10, leading edges 94E, 96Eare at an angle α with respect to the horizontal surface 44 and at thesame angle α as discussed herein above in connection with the directionof travel of carrier 62. That is, leading edges 94E, 96E are parallelwith the direction of travel of carrier 62 as depicted by arrow 148.

The upper crossover triangular section 102 includes a leading edge 102Eterminating at a rear termination point 106. Similarly, the uppercrossover triangular section 104 includes a leading edge 104Eterminating at a rear termination point 108. The upper crossovertriangular sections 102, 104 overlap one another as shown at the overlaparea 110 and, more particularly, section 104 and its termination point108 are located above/over section 102 and its termination point 106. Asfurther described herein below, this overlap allows the plastic filmedge 126 to be placed over the plastic film edge 128 for heat sealingpurposes and forming the plastic film tube 47.

Mid wall section 94 defines an exterior surface 96X and an interiorsurface 96I. Similarly, mid wall section 96 defines an exterior surface96X and an interior surface 96I. Left upper crossover triangular section102 defines an exterior surface 102X and an interior surface 102I.Similarly, right upper crossover triangular section 104 defines anexterior surface 104X and an interior surface 104I.

The film unfolding section 34 is located immediately below the plasticfilm forming tube 46 and conveyor 129. Film unfolding section 34includes a guide plate 64 that is generally parallel with the upperconveying surface 130 of conveyor 129. Guide plate 64 includes left andright side edges 66, 68 that are curved upwardly and define upturnedlips 66L, 68R respectively. Guide plate 64 also includes a forwardtriangular shaped end 70 and rear end 71. Forward end 70 includes leftand right angular edges 72, 74 that are joined at a forward terminalpoint 76. Left angular edge 72 is joined with left side edge 66 andright angular edge 74 is joined with right side edge 68. Forwardterminal point 76 is rounded or may additionally include a barb 78 thatextends downwardly and between the longitudinally extending rollers 114,115. Left and right side edges 66, 68 are parallel to one another and tothe longitudinal line 21. Left and right angular edges 72, 74, as bestseen in FIGS. 7 and 11, are at an angle β with respect to thelongitudinal line 21. Additionally, angular edge 72 is parallel withpivot axes 50R, 62R of right pivot assemblies 60 and perpendicular withthe pivot axes 48L, 62L of the left pivot assemblies 60. Angular edge 74is parallel with pivot axes 48L, 62L of left pivot assemblies 60 andperpendicular with the pivot axes 50R, 62R of the right pivot assemblies60.

A second or vertical guide plate 80 extends vertically upwardly andgenerally perpendicular to the guide plate 64. Vertical plate 80includes a first lower edge 82, a second upper edge 84 and vertical sideedges 80L and 80R. The left side edge 80L is adjacent the nosing 98 ofleft inner form tube section 86 and the right edge 80R is adjacent thenosing 100 of right inner from tube section 88. Lower edge 82 isadjacent to and can be affixed to the guide plate 64. Upper edge 84includes a backwardly extending lip 84B that is curved towards the upperconveying surface 130 of conveyor 129. Lower edge 82 includes aforwardly extending lip 82F that is curved towards the forwardtriangular shaped end 70 of guide plate 64. As best seen in FIG. 10,triangular end 70 can be affixed or integrally formed with the verticalplate 80 and joined at the forwardly extending lip 82F.

An elongate guide member or roller 118 is located adjacent to thevertical plate member 80 and the forward end 70 of guide plate 64.Preferably, the outer diameter of roller 118 is substantially the sameas the curvature of the forwardly extending lip 82F and lip 82Fpartially surrounds the roller 118 as best seen in FIG. 10. However, theoutside surface 118S of roller 118 is sufficiently spaced from the guideplate forward end 70, the lip 82F and the vertical plate 80 such thatplastic film 40 can readily and easily travel therebetween. Roller 118is adapted to and rotates about axis 118A. Elongate guide member 118 issubstantially perpendicular to the longitudinally extending rollers 114,115 and the guide plate side edges 66, 68.

The longitudinally extending elongate guide members or roller 114 and115 are parallel to one another and are located vertically below andadjacent the guide plate 64. The exterior surfaces 114S and 115S ofrollers 114 and 115 respectively are spaced from each other so as toform an elongate slot 112 having a width such that plastic film 40 canreadily and easily travel therethrough and between the roller 114, 155.Barb 78 of the guide plate 64 extends downwardly between roller 114, 115and to the elongate slot 115 as best seen in FIG. 9. Rollers 114, 115are adapted to rotate about their longitudinal axes 114A, 115Arespectively. Additionally, rollers 114, 115 are substantially parallelwith left and right side edges 66, 68 of the guide plate 64 and have alongitudinal length which is greater than the width W of the foldedplastic film 40 on the plastic film roll 14.

A longitudinally extending elongate guide member or roller 116 islocated below rollers 114, 155 and is substantially parallel therewith.Guide roller 116 is adapted to rotate about longitudinal axis 116A andhas an exterior surface 116S. Roller 116, similar to rollers 114, 115,has a longitudinal length which is greater than the width W of thefolded plastic film 40 on the film roll 14. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 12,lower guide roller 116 is located vertically directly below one of therollers 114, 115 with its exterior surface 116A vertically below andaligned with the elongate slot 112.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 4-6, the conveyor 129 islocated immediately above guide plate 64 and below the plastic filmforming tube 46. That is, conveyer 129 is generally sandwiched betweenthe guide plate 64 and the forming tube 46. Conveyor 129, as mentionedherein above, includes a conveying surface 130. Conveyor 129 furtherincludes a receiving end 132 and an outlet end 134. Receiving end 132 isadjacent the inlet orifice 56 and outlet end 134 is adjacent the outletorifice 58. In the preferred embodiment as mentioned herein above,conveying surface 130 is provided on an endless belt conveyor 129;however, conveying surface 130 can be any low-friction surface whereuponthe plastic film 40 and bales 16 can easily be traversed.

Wrapper section conveyer 129, guide plate 64 and vertical plate 80 aremounted on the frame 144 of the wrapper section 20 in a cantileverfashion. As shown diagrammatically in FIG. 10 and in the perspectiveview of the wrapper section in FIG. 12, horizontal cantilever beams 150are provided on both sides of the conveyor 129 and are affixed, at theirrear ends 152, to the frame 144. The beams forward ends 154 aretherefore cantilevered from and extend out from the frame 144 as bestdepicted in FIG. 10. The vertical plate 80 is affixed to the forwardends 154 of the beams 150. The guide plate 64 is also affixed to thebeams forward ends 154 such as with fasteners 156. The conveyor 129 issupported on and between the beams 150 with the conveyor receiving end132 adjacent the beams forward ends 154 and the conveyor outlet end 134adjacent the beams rear ends 152. As should now be appreciated, theconveyor receiving end 132, vertical plate 80 and guide plate 64 arecantilevered and extend between the forming collar 46 and thelongitudinal rollers 114, 115 and 116. Hence, the plastic film 40 can bedelivered from the rolls 14 normal to the longitudinal (the direction oftravel of bales 16) of the apparatus 10 and underneath the filmunfolding section 34 and tube forming section 36.

As best depicted in FIGS. 3-6, the plastic film 40 is provided on rolls14 in a folded configuration wherein the overall folded width of thefilm/web is depicted by the letter W. In its folded configuration,plastic film or web 40 includes first and second sides 120, 122 joinedalong a longitudinal folded edge 124. As shown in FIG. 6, first plasticfilm side 120 has an outer or first longitudinal edge 126 and secondplastic film side 122 has an outer or second longitudinal edge 128, andthe two sides 120, 122 are joined along the longitudinal folded edge124. The first and second sides 120, 122 are equal in size and have awidth WS substantially equal to the plastic film roll width W. The widthWS of each plastic film side 120, 122 is the distance between theirrespective outer first and second longitudinal edges 126, 128 and thelongitudinal folded edge 124. Therefore, the overall total width of theplastic film/web 40 is two times that of the roll width W.

In operation, for unfolding the folded plastic film or web 40 as it isprovided from roll 14 and forming it into a plastic film tube 47, thefolded plastic film 40 is unwound from the roll 14 and is firstdelivered or travels around the guide roller 116 and up through thelongitudinal slot 112 between the guide rollers 114, 115. The firstplastic film side 120 then travels around the longitudinal guide roller115 towards the right side edge 68 and the right angular edge 74 ofguide plate 64. Similarly, the second plastic film side 122 travelsaround the longitudinal guide roller 114 towards the left side edge 66and the left angular edge 72 of guide plate 64.

The part of the plastic film side 120 that travels to and slides aroundthe guide plate side edge 68 (the “plastic film longitudinal rightside”) then travels generally vertically upwardly towards the rightinner forming tube section 88; slides over the mid wall exterior surface96X and the right crossover triangular section exterior surface 104X;around the tapered leading edges 96E and 104E of mid wall 96 andcrossover triangular section 104 respectively; and, finally, along themid wall interior surface 96I and the right crossover triangular sectioninterior surface 104I. Similarly, the part of the plastic film side 122that travels to and slides around the guide plate side edge 66 (the“plastic film longitudinal left side”) then travels generally verticallyupwardly towards the right inner forming tube section 86; slides overthe mid wall exterior surface 94X and the right crossover triangularsection exterior surface 102X; around the tapered leading edges 94E and102E of mid wall 94 and crossover triangular section 102 respectively;and, finally, along the mid wall interior surface 94I and the rightcrossover triangular section interior surface 102I. Because thetriangular section 104 is above the triangular section 102, the outerlongitudinal edge 126 of the plastic film side 120 is located on top ofthe longitudinal edge 128 of the plastic film side 122 and, hence, onthe exterior of the formed plastic tube 47.

The part of the plastic film side 120 adjacent the folded edge 124 thattravels over the right angular edge 74 and the plastic film side 122adjacent the folded edge 124 that travels over the left angular edge 72(the “plastic film longitudinal middle section”), as best seen in FIG.4, then travels: over the top of the guide plate forward triangular end70: around the guide roller 118; vertically upwardly along the verticalplate 89; over the vertical plate upper edge 84; and, finally, onto theconveyor surface 130 of conveyor 129. It is noted that the longitudinalfolded edge 124 travels: through the elongate slot 112 between guiderollers 114, 115; over the barb 78 at the guide plate forward terminalpoint 76; over the top and at the center of the guide plate forwardtriangular end 70: around the guide roller 118; vertically upwardly andalong the vertical plate 89; over the vertical plate upper edge 84; and,finally, onto about the center of the conveyor surface 130 of conveyor129.

As should now be appreciated, the plastic film tube 47 is thus formed bythe plastic film longitudinal middle section traveling along theconveyor surface 130, the plastic film longitudinal left side travelingalong the interior surfaces of the left inner form tube section 86 andthe plastic film longitudinal right side traveling along the interiorsurfaces of the right inner form tube section 88. Additionally, as bales16 are received through the forming tube inlet orifice 56, they traverseonto the plastic film longitudinal middle section over the conveyorsurface 130 and into the central cavity 57 whereby they are envelopedwithin the plastic film tube 47. The plastic film overlapping edges 120,122 are then heat sealed and the tube 47 is cut and sealed betweenindividual bales with sealing section 23 for individually sealing eachbale 16.

Advantageously, as should now also be appreciated, the left and rightforming collar shoulder sections 48, 50 pivot about their respectivepivot assemblies 60 and slide vertically upwardly and backwardly alongthe cam assemblies 138 for thereby receiving and wrapping variable sizedbales 16 and for accommodating and wrapping bales which are not centeredleft/right on the conveyor surface 130. More particularly, the formingcollar 46, in its retracted position as shown in FIGS. 4-11, willproduce its smallest size plastic tube 47 defined by the size of theinner form tube sections 86, 88 and conveying surface 130. However, asbest shown in FIGS. 14-17, the forming tube shoulder sections 48, 50 andtheir inner form tube sections 86, 88 pivot about their respective pivotassemblies 60 and slide vertically upwardly and backwardly along the camassemblies 138 to expanded positions dictated by the size of the bales16 and their left/right position on the conveyor surface for therebyforming an appropriate larger size plastic tube that will fit snugly onthe bale 16.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 17, when a larger bale 16 or a bale which is,for example, located more toward the left side of the conveyor comes incontact with the lead-in guide 52, the left collar shoulder section 48will pivot about its pivot assemblies 60 and travel upwardly andbackwardly in a direction depicted by arrow 158. The direction of arrow158 is ideally parallel to the left angular edge 72 of the guide plateforward triangular shape 70 and also parallel to the left inner formingcollar leading edge 94E, and the pivot assemblies 60 and length of arms61 are adapted to produce movement of the left shoulder sectionapproximately, but not exactly, in the direction of arrow 158.Accordingly, shoulder section 48 will move backwardly a distance B and acorresponding vertical distance V and a leftward horizontal distance H,and the plastic tube 47 that will be formed over the bale willcorrespond thereto and fit snugly thereon. The right shoulder section50, as described hereinabove, will move independent of shoulder section48 about its pivot assemblies 60 causing shoulder section 50 tosimilarly move by a bale 16 contacting its lead-in guide 54 a verticaldistance V but a rightward horizontal distance H. Therefore, with bothshoulder sections 48, 50 in their maximum expanded positions as a resultof pivoting about pivot assemblies 60, the forming collar/tube 46 willform a plastic tube 47 and accommodate a bale having a width equal tothe forming collar retracted position width plus twice the horizontaldistance H and a height equal to the forming collar height plus thevertical distance V.

So as to accommodate bales which are yet taller in height, as describedhereinabove, both shoulder sections 48, 50 are pivotally supported withtheir respective pivot assemblies 60 on the common carriage 62 which isitself moveable vertically upwardly and backwardly along the camassemblies 138. More particularly, as best seen in FIGS. 15 and 16wherein the left and right shoulder sections are shown not pivoted abouttheir pivot assemblies 60, in their retracted positions the shouldersections 48, 50 are relatively close to conveyor surface 130 (FIG. 15).However, when a taller bale 16 comes in contact with one or both thelead-in guides 52, 54, the carriage 62 along with both the left andright collar shoulder sections 48, 50 will slide and travel via the camassemblies 138 upwardly and backwardly in a direction depicted by arrow148. Accordingly, carrier 62 and shoulder section 48, 50 will movebackwardly a distance B2 and vertically upwardly a distance V2, and theplastic tube 47 that will be formed over the bale will correspondthereto and fit snugly thereon. Therefore, with both shoulder sections48, 50 not pivoted about their pivot assemblies 60, in their maximumexpanded positions as a result of the carriage traveling along the camassemblies 138, the forming collar/tube 46 will form a plastic tube 47and accommodate a bale having a height equal to the forming collarretracted position height plus a vertical distance of V2.

Finally, with both shoulder sections 48, 50 in their maximum expandedpositions as a result of pivoting about pivot assemblies 60 as well as aresult of the carriage traveling along the cam assemblies 138, theforming collar/tube 46 will form a plastic tube 47 and accommodate abale having a width equal to the forming collar retracted position widthplus twice the horizontal distance H and a height equal to the formingcollar height plus the vertical distances V and V2.

While this invention has been described as having an exemplary design,the present invention may be further modified within the spirit andscope of this disclosure.

This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, oradaptations of the invention using its general principles.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for forming elongate film into atube around variable size articles, said apparatus comprising: aconveying surface adapted to carry the articles being wrapped; a formingcollar adapted to wrap film around the articles carried on saidconveying surface, said forming collar including left and rightsections, said left section located adjacent a left side of saidconveying surface and said right section located adjacent a right sideof said conveying surface; wherein said left and right forming collarsections each include an inside surface, an outside surface and aleading edge; wherein elongate film having a central area and left andright sides is formed into a tube by directing: the central film areaonto said conveying surface; the left film side along said formingcollar left section outside surface, around its leading edge and alongits inside surface; and, the right film side along said forming collarright section outside surface, around its leading edge and along itsinside surface; and, wherein said left and right forming collar sectionsare selectively movable relative to said carrying surface therebyselectively varying the tube size, whereby variable sized articlesplaced on the film central area and carried by said conveying surface ina longitudinal direction between said forming collar sections may bereceived in the formed film tube.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 whereinsaid left and right forming collar sections are each independentlypivotally supported on a frame and are effectively moveableperpendicular to said longitudinal direction.
 3. The apparatus of claim1 wherein said left and right forming collar sections are eachindependently pivotally supported on a frame and are effectivelymoveable horizontally perpendicular to said longitudinal direction andvertically perpendicular to said longitudinal direction.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a guide plate having a leftangular edge and a right angular edge; wherein the elongate film centralarea is directed over said left and right angular edges prior to beingdirected onto the conveying surface; and, wherein said forming collarleft section is movable in a direction parallel to said left angularedge and said forming collar right section is movable in a directionparallel to said right angular edge.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 whereinsaid forming collar left section is pivotally supported on a frame andis thereby movable in a direction parallel to said left angular edge,and said forming collar right section is pivotally supported on theframe and is thereby movable in a direction parallel to said rightangular edge.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a conveyordefining said carrying surface and adapted to carry the articles beingwrapped.
 7. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said left and right formingcollar sections each include a lead-in guide, said lead-in guidesadapted to come in contact with the articles as they travel in saidlongitudinal direction and thereby cause said movement of its formingcollar section.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a guideplate having a left angular edge and a right angular edge; wherein theelongate film central area is directed over said left and right angularedges prior to being directed onto the conveying surface; and, whereinsaid forming collar left section is movable in a direction parallel toboth said left angular edge and said leading edge of said left formingcollar section, and said forming collar right section is movable in adirection parallel to both said right angular edge and said leading edgeof said right forming collar section.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8wherein said left and right forming collar sections are supported on acarrier and said carrier is movable in a direction parallel to saidleading edges of said forming collar sections.
 10. The apparatus ofclaim 8 wherein said left and right forming collar sections are eachindependently pivotally supported on a carrier and said carrier ismovable in a direction parallel to said leading edges of said formingcollar sections.
 11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said formingcollar left section is pivotally supported on a frame and is therebymovable in a direction approximately parallel to both said left angularedge and said leading edge of said left forming collar section, and saidforming collar right section is pivotally supported on the frame and isthereby movable in a direction approximately parallel to both said rightangular edge and said leading edge of said right forming collar section.12. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a conveyor defining saidcarrying surface and adapted to carry the articles being wrapped. 13.The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said left and right forming collarsections each include a lead-in guide, said lead-in guides adapted tocome in contact with the articles as they travel in said longitudinaldirection and thereby cause said movement of its forming collar section.14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said left and right forming collarsections are each independently supported on a carrier and said carrieris movable in a direction parallel to said leading edges of said formingcollar sections.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising: aguide plate having a left angular edge and a right angular edge; whereinthe elongate film central area is directed over said left and rightangular edges prior to being directed onto the conveying surface; and,wherein said forming collar left section is pivotally supported on saidcarrier and is thereby movable in a direction parallel to said leftangular edge and said forming collar right section is pivotallysupported on said carrier and is thereby movable in a direction parallelto said right angular edge.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein saidleft and right forming collar sections each include a lead-in guide,said lead-in guides adapted to come in contact with the articles as theytravel in said longitudinal direction and thereby cause said movement ofits forming collar section.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16 furthercomprising a conveyor defining said carrying surface and adapted tocarry the articles being wrapped.
 18. The apparatus of claim 1 furthercomprising a conveyor defining said carrying surface and adapted tocarry the articles being wrapped.
 19. The apparatus of claim 1 whereinsaid left and right forming collar sections each include a lead-inguide, said lead-in guides adapted to come in contact with the articlesas they travel in said longitudinal direction and thereby cause saidmovement of its forming collar section.
 20. An apparatus for formingelongate film into a tube around variable sized articles, said apparatuscomprising: a conveying surface adapted to carry the articles beingwrapped; a forming collar adapted to wrap film around the articlescarried on said conveying surface, said forming collar including leftand right sections, said left section located adjacent a left side ofsaid conveying surface and said right section located adjacent a rightside of said conveying surface; wherein said left and right formingcollar sections each include an inside surface, an outside surface and aleading edge; wherein elongate film having a central area and left andright sides is formed into a tube by directing: the central film areaonto said conveying surface; the left film side along said formingcollar left section outside surface, around its leading edge and alongits inside surface; and, the right film side along said forming collarright section outside surface, around its leading edge and along itsinside surface; and, wherein said left and right forming collar sectionsare supported on a carrier and said carrier is movable relative to saidcarrying surface thereby selectively varying the tube size, wherebyvariable sized articles placed on the film central area and carried bysaid conveying surface in a longitudinal direction between said formingcollar sections may be received in the formed film tube.
 21. Theapparatus of claim 20 wherein said carrier is movable in a directionparallel to said leading edges of said forming collar sections.
 22. Theapparatus of claim 20 further comprising: a guide plate having a leftangular edge and a right angular edge; wherein the elongate film centralarea is directed over said left and right angular edges prior to beingdirected onto the conveying surface; and, wherein said forming collarleft section is movable in a direction parallel to said left angularedge and said forming collar right section is movable in a directionparallel to said right angular edge.
 23. The apparatus of claim 22wherein said left and right forming collar sections each include alead-in guide, said lead-in guides adapted to come in contact with thearticles as they travel in said longitudinal direction and thereby causesaid movement of its forming collar section.
 24. The apparatus of claim23 further comprising a conveyor defining said carrying surface andadapted to carry the articles being wrapped.
 25. The apparatus of claim20 wherein said left and right forming collar sections each include alead-in guide, said lead-in guides adapted to come in contact with thearticles as they travel in said longitudinal direction and thereby causesaid movement of its forming collar section.
 26. The apparatus of claim20 further comprising a conveyor defining said carrying surface andadapted to carry the articles being wrapped.